Import case details - public listing
New Search

Commodity: Herbarium specimens requiring a permit
Scientific name:
Country: All countries
End use: All uses other than as animal foods, fertilisers or for growing purposes
Date printed: Sep 8 2010
The information here covers AQIS quarantine requirements only and is current on the date of transmission but may change without notice. AQIS makes no warranties or representations with respect to the accuracy or completeness of that information and will bear no liability with respect to that information. Importers must satisfy quarantine concerns and comply with quarantine conditions applicable at the time of entry. The Commonwealth through AQIS is not liable for any costs arising from or associated with decisions of importers to import based on conditions presented here which are not current at the time of importation. It is the importer’s responsibility to verify the accuracy and completeness of the information at the time of importation.

It is the importer’s responsibility to identify and to ensure it has complied with, all requirements of any other regulatory and advisory bodies prior to and after importation including the Australian Customs Service, Therapeutic Goods Administration, Department of Health and Ageing, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority and any State agencies such as Departments of Agriculture and Health and Environmental Protection authorities.

Importers should note that this list is not exhaustive. Importers should also note that all foods imported into Australia must comply with the provisions of the Imported Food Control Act 1992 , an Act which is administered by AQIS.

Notification of the import must be provided to AQIS for all imported goods other than goods imported as accompanied baggage or goods imported via the mail and not prescribed under the Customs Act 1901. Notification must be consistent with Quarantine Regulations 2000 (examples include a Quarantine Entry or a Quarantine declaration).


Condition  C10501

Herbarium specimens requiring a permit

The import conditions listed below apply to herbarium specimens imported for research purposes and/or incorporation into Australian herbarium reference collections that meet any of the following criteria:

- specimens from prohibited plant species listed on Schedule 4 or Schedule 6 of the Quarantine Proclamation 1998 ;

- specimens of algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts) or micro-organisms regulated under the Quarantine Proclamation 1998 ;

- specimens not fully processed, and likely to contain viable material;

- specimens not identified to at least genus level;

- knowingly infected specimens, and/or pathogenic organisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, viroids, phytoplasmas and oomycetes (pythiums, phytophthoras) or any other micro-organism requiring a plant host.

Note: These conditions do not apply to plant and micro-organism material imported for the purposes of in-vitro or in-vivo use, or intended for purposes other than herbarium reference collections.

Non-Commercial

1. The conditions under the Commercial section apply.

Commercial

Fully processed/preserved, identified, non-pathogenic herbarium specimens of algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts) or micro-organisms regulated under the Quarantine Proclamation 1998 and plant specimens of genera on Schedules 4 & 6 of the Quarantine Proclamation 1998: see Part A below.

Specimens not fully processed/preserved or unidentified and/or potentially containing viable but not knowingly infected: see Part B below.

Herbarium specimens of pathogenic micro-organisms or knowingly infected plant specimens (and any other herbarium specimens not listed above): see Part C below.

 

Part A:  Fully processed/preserved, identified, non-pathogenic herbarium specimens of algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts) or micro-organisms regulated under the Quarantine Proclamation 1998 and plant specimens of genera on Schedules 4 & 6 of the Quarantine Proclamation 1998.

Importer’s Responsibilities

1. All consignments must be accompanied by a valid Import Permit or by means to allow the identification of the Import Permit (ie the Permit number).

2. Each consignment must be accompanied by a declaration from the sending institution, on institution letterhead, clearly stating the name and position of the person making the declaration, and must provide the following information:

a) a list of the specimens in the consignment (identified to at least the genus level), linked to either the herbarium accession numbers or collectors’ details/identifiers (e.g., the accompanying loan listing); and

b) confirmation that the specimens have been fully processed (to their final state, not including freezing); and

c) a declaration that the specimens before packaging were free from live insects and excess soil and are not knowingly infected with potentially viable pathogenic micro-organisms.

3. Consignments should have the above documentation securely attached to the outside of the package and clearly marked “Attention Quarantine”. Note: a second copy of all required documentation should be enclosed in the outer layers of the packaging in case the external documents are dislodged during transit. Alternatively, the necessary documentation will need to be presented to AQIS at the time of clearance.

4. Each consignment must be free of live insects and excess soil prior to arrival in Australia.

5. Any packaging used with the consignment must be clean and new.

6. The importer is responsible for payment of all associated AQIS fees and charges.

Quarantine Procedures

7. The Quarantine officer shall:

- verify that the required documentation is in order;

- inspect the consignment to verify package integrity to ensure no loss of material; and

- inspect the outer packaging for any signs of insect infestation en route. If such evidence is found, the consignment will be immediately secured and double bagged and cold treated (T9600) while further treatment options are discussed with the sending/receiving institution.

8. The Quarantine officer must check the Import Permit to determine whether the consignment may be either:

 a) released from quarantine to the receiving institution for mandatory cold treatment. The cold treatment (T9600) must be applied to the entire consignment before the inner wrappings are opened. Note: this treatment does not have to be performed at a Quarantine Approved Premises;

OR

 b) directed to a Quarantine Approved Premises (Class 5.1) for further treatment and/or containment. Herbarium specimens directed to a Quarantine Approved Premises must not be removed from these premises without prior approval from AQIS.

9. Where consignments contain both specimens that are eligible for release and specimens requiring further treatment, the Quarantine officer should not open the consignment to remove or separate specimens. The Quarantine officer should direct these consignments to a Quarantine Approved Premise (Class 5.1) for unpacking and sorting into specimens that may be released from quarantine and those that will require further treatment.

10. Consignments arriving without the required documentation shall be held until the required documents are received, or under direction from AQIS Plant Programs, Canberra, will undergo inspection by a Quarantine officer (to ensure that material of quarantine concern is not included) and treatment if necessary before being directed to a Quarantine Approved Premises (Class 5.1).

11. Alternatively, consignments without the necessary documentation can be re-exported or subjected to mandatory treatment by ONE of the following methods:

 - Dry heat treatment at 85oC for at least 8 hours (T9569); or

 - Gamma irradiation at 25 KGray/2.5 Mrad (T9651); or

 - Ethylene oxide fumigation under under initial minimum vacuum of 50 kilopascals at 1200g/m³ for 5 hours at 50ºC; or 1500g/m³ for 24 hours at 21ºC (T9020).

Following treatment, the consignment may be released from quarantine by the Quarantine officer.

12. AQIS reserves the right, at any time, to (a) apply further controls on the use of restricted material as herbarium reference specimens; and (b) rescind the right of individuals / institutions to use restricted plant material as herbarium reference specimens.

 Notes: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) states that the exchange of herbarium specimens between scientists and scientific institutions for scientific study should not be hindered by CITES trade restrictions.

The Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) regulate ethylene oxide residues and may limit use on commodities that have direct contact with human skin. For information to determine if this treatment option is available for the commodity of import refer to the APVMA website.

 

Part B: Specimens not fully processed/preserved, unidentified or potentially containing viable but not knowingly infected material:

Importer’s Responsibilities

1. All consignments must be accompanied by a valid Import Permit or by means to allow the identification of the Import Permit (ie the Permit number).

2. Each consignment must be accompanied by a list of the specimens (identified to at least the genus level), or if the specimens are unidentified, a numerical identifier and collection data will be required.

3. Consignments should have the above documentation securely attached to the outside of the package and clearly marked “Attention Quarantine”. Note: a second copy of all required documentation should be enclosed in the outer layers of the packaging in case the external documents are dislodged during transit. Alternatively, the necessary documentation will need to be presented to AQIS at the time of clearance.

4. Each consignment must be free of live insects and excess soil prior to arrival in Australia.

5. Any packaging used with the consignment must be clean and new.

6. The importer is responsible for payment of all associated AQIS fees and charges.

Quarantine Procedures

7. On arrival in Australia, the consignment will be inspected by the Quarantine officer for the presence of live insects, excess soil, and any disease symptoms.

8. The Quarantine officer must check the Import Permit to determine whether the consignment may be either:

a) directed to a Quarantine Approved Premises (Class 5.1) for mandatory cold treatment (T9600) and processing, followed by incorporation into an Australian reference institution (at which time the consignment can be released from quarantine);

OR

b) subjected to mandatory treatment by ONE of the following methods:

- Dry heat treatment at 85oC for at least 8 hours (T9569); or

- Gamma irradiation at 25 KGray/2.5 Mrad (T9651); or

- Ethylene oxide fumigation under initial minimum vacuum of 50 kilopascals at 1200g/m³ for 5 hours at 50ºC; or 1500g/m³ for 24 hours at 21ºC (T9020).

Following treatment, the consignment may be released from quarantine by the Quarantine officer.

9. AQIS reserves the right, at any time, to (a) apply further controls on the use of restricted material as herbarium reference specimens; and (b) rescind the right of individuals / institutions to use restricted plant material as herbarium reference specimens.

 Notes: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) states that the exchange of herbarium specimens between scientists and scientific institutions for scientific study should not be hindered by CITES trade restrictions.

The Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) regulate ethylene oxide residues and may limit use on commodities that have direct contact with human skin. For information to determine if this treatment option is available for the commodity of import refer to the APVMA website.

 

Part C: Herbarium specimens of pathogenic micro-organisms or knowingly infected plant specimens:

Importer’s Responsibilities

1. All consignments must be accompanied by a valid Import Permit or by means to allow the identification of the Import Permit (ie the Permit number). To allow AQIS to fully assess the quarantine risk posed by these specimens, importers are advised to provide as much detail as possible in the permit application, on both the host and pathogen, how the specimen is to be imported (herbarium sheets or packets, spirit collections etc), the level of containment available at the receiving institution and the QAP registration number.

2. Each consignment must be accompanied by a declaration from the sending institution, on institution letterhead, clearly stating the name and position of the person making the declaration, and must provide the following information:

a) the scientific names of the specimens in the consignment (down to species level for both host and pathogen), linked to either the herbarium accession numbers or collectors’ details/identifiers (e.g., the accompanying loan listing); and

b) confirmation that the specimens have been fully processed (to their final state, not including freezing); and

c) a declaration that the specimens before packaging were free from live insects and excess soil.

3. Consignments should have the above documentation securely attached to the outside of the package and clearly marked “Attention Quarantine”. Note: a second copy of all required documentation should be enclosed in the outer layers of the packaging in case the external documents are dislodged during transit. Alternatively, the necessary documentation will need to be presented to AQIS at the time of clearance.

4. Each consignment must be free of live insects and excess soil prior to arrival in Australia.

5. Any packaging used with the consignment must be clean and new.

6. The importer is responsible for payment of all associated AQIS fees and charges.

Quarantine Procedures:

7. The Quarantine officer shall:

- verify that the required documentation is in order;

- inspect the consignment to verify package integrity to ensure no loss of material; and

- inspect the outer packaging for any signs of insect infestation en route. If such evidence is found, the consignment will be immediately secured and double bagged and cold treated (T9600) while further treatment options are discussed with the sending/receiving institution.

8. The Quarantine officer must check the Import Permit to determine whether the consignment may be either:

a) directed to a Quarantine Approved Premises (with the containment level as specified on the Import Permit) for further treatment or processing as specified on the Import Permit. Herbarium specimens directed to a Quarantine Approved Premises must not be removed from these premises without prior approval from AQIS;

OR

b) subjected to mandatory treatment by ONE of the following methods:

- Dry heat treatment at 85oC for at least 8 hours (T9569); or

- Gamma irradiation at 25 KGray/2.5 Mrad (T9651); or

- Ethylene oxide fumigation under initial minimum vacuum of 50 kilopascals at 1200g/m³ for 5 hours at 50ºC; or 1500g/m³ for 24 hours at 21ºC (T9020).

Following treatment, the consignment may be released from quarantine by the Quarantine officer.

9. Consignments arriving without the required documentation shall be double bagged and held securely in cold storage (T9600) until the required documents are produced. Alternatively, in consultation with AQIS Plant Programs, Canberra, the consignment may be directed to undergo mandatory treatment (as specified above under 8(b)) before being released from quarantine, or the consignment may be re-exported or destroyed.

10. AQIS reserves the right, at any time, to (a) apply further controls on the use of restricted material as herbarium reference specimens; and (b) rescind the right of individuals / institutions to use restricted plant material as herbarium reference specimens.

 Notes: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) states that the exchange of herbarium specimens between scientists and scientific institutions for scientific study should not be hindered by CITES trade restrictions.

The Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) regulate ethylene oxide residues and may limit use on commodities that have direct contact with human skin. For information to determine if this treatment option is available for the commodity of import refer to the APVMA website.

Condition  C18290

Import conditions for fully processed herbarium specimens of Australian origin and that require an import permit.

This condition applies to fully processed herbarium specimens which originated in an Australian herbarium and are for re-incorporation into an Australian reference collection after loan to an overseas institution for scientific study and that meet any of the following criteria:

- specimens from prohibited plant species listed on Schedule 4 or Schedule 6 of the Quarantine Proclamation 1998 ;

- specimens of algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, hornworts) or any micro-organism regulated under the Quarantine Proclamation 1998 ;

Note: These conditions do not apply to plant and micro-organism material imported for the purposes of in-vitro or in-vivo use, or intended for purposes other than herbarium reference collections.

 

Import conditions

Non-Commercial

1. The conditions under the Commercial section apply.

Commercial

Importer’s Responsibilities

1. All consignments must be accompanied by a valid Import Permit or by means to allow the identification of the Import Permit (ie the Permit number).

2. All specimens must be:

- preserved to their final state (excluding frozen)

- identified to at least the genus level.

- not knowingly infected, or diseased;

- not infested with live insects; and

- free of excess soil.

3. Any packaging used with the consignment must be clean and new.

4. Each consignment must be accompanied by a declaration from the sending institution, on institution letterhead, clearly stating the name and position of the person making the declaration, and must provide the following information:

a) providing a list of the specimens in the consignment (down to at least genus level), linked to either the herbarium accession numbers or collectors’ details/identifiers (e.g., the accompanying loan listing); and

b) confirmation that the specimens have been fully processed (to their final state, not including freezing); and

c) a declaration that the specimens before packaging were free from live insects and excess soil; and

d) a declaration that the specimens are the property of an Australian herbarium and are being returned after loan for scientific study overseas.

5. Consignments should have the above documentation securely attached to the outside of the package and clearly marked “Attention Quarantine”. Note: a second copy of all required documentation should be enclosed in the outer layers of the packaging in case the external documents are dislodged during transit. Alternatively, the necessary documentation will need to be presented to AQIS at the time of clearance.

6. The importer is responsible for payment of all associated AQIS fees and charges.

Quarantine Procedures:

7. On arrival in Australia, the consignment will be inspected by the Quarantine Officer who will:

- verify that the documentation is in order;

- inspect the consignment to verify package integrity to ensure no loss of material; and

- inspect the outer packaging for any signs of insect infestation en route. If such evidence is found, the consignment will be immediately secured and double bagged and cold treated (T9600) while further treatment options are discussed with the sending/receiving institution.

8. Following inspection, and providing that the above requirements are met, the consignment can be released from quarantine to the receiving institution for mandatory cold treatment (T9600). The cold treatment (T9600) must be applied to the entire consignment before the inner wrappings are opened. This treatment does not have to be performed at a Quarantine Approved Premises.

9. Consignments arriving without the necessary documentation will be held until the required declarations are received, or under direction from AQIS Plant Programs, Canberra, will undergo inspection by a Quarantine officer to ensure that material of quarantine concern is not included.

Note: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) states that the exchange of herbarium specimens between scientists and scientific institutions for scientific study should not be hindered by CITES trade restrictions.

 

Condition  C5012 The commodity may be subject to Environment Australia legislation

This commodity or species may be subject to Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts legislation under CITES. Commodities/species known to be, or considered to be covered by CITES will be referred to the Australian Customs Service (Customs) on arrival to Australia, in addition to satisfying quarantine import conditions.

CITES queries can be directed to the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts on the details below:

Phone:        02 6274 1900
Fax:            02 6274 1921
Email:         wildlifetrade@environment.gov.au
Internet:      www.environment.gov.au

Entry Management  EM0184

AQIS minimum documentary requirements to support assessment of all documentation 

All documentation presented to AQIS as part of the import process must meet the requirements of the Minimum Documentary Requirements Policy. These requirements include:

  1. Overarching Requirements (e.g. legible, in English, signed, dated, linked to the consignment);
  2. Document Format Requirements (e.g. as per nationally accepted practice and standards, or on company letterhead); and
  3. Prescribed Information Requirements (e.g. treatment certificates must include a description of the goods/packaging treated)

 

Entry Management  EM0185

AQIS information requirements to support assessment of non-commodity concerns associated with imported cargo

All documentation presented to AQIS to assist in determining the level of quarantine risk posed by transportation pathways and packaging must meet the requirements of the Non-Commodity Information Requirements Policy. These requirements address:

  1. Container cleanliness;
  2. Packaging concerns (e.g. presence of timber or prohibited packaging material); and
  3. Destination concerns (e.g. destined for a rural unpack location).

 

Treatment  T9651 Gamma irradiation:

Gamma irradiation

Gamma irradiate at 25 kGray (2.5 Mrad).

Treatment  T9662 Autoclave:

Autoclave

121°C, 103 kPa (15 psi) for 15 minutes; or

134°C, 214 kPa (31 psi) for 4 minutes.

Treatment  T9020 Ethylene oxide:

Ethylene oxide

Under initial minimum vacuum of 50 kilopascals at 1200g/m³ for 5 hours at 50ºC; or 1500g/m³ for 24 hours at 21ºC.

Note: The Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) regulates ethylene oxide residues and may limit use on commodities that have direct contact with human skin. For information to determine if this treatment option is available for the commodity of import refer to the APVMA website.

Treatment  T9569 Hot air:

Hot air

Hot air at not less than 85°C for at least 8 hours once the core temperature has been reached.

Caution: Products may smoulder or ignite with this treatment.

Treatment  T9600 Cold storage:

Cold storage

Store at -18°C for 7 consecutive days starting when the core temperature of the consignment reaches -18°C. A core temperature of -18°C must be maintained over 7 consecutive days.

Import Permit Fee  IPF0003

Import Permit Fees (where applicable) – Category 2

This commodity is classified as a Category 2 assessment for the purposes of determining the Import Permit fee rate that applies. The fee rate is $80.00 (for any assessment period up to 1 hour) and $40.00 for each quarter hour, or part of a quarter hour, after the 1-hour period. Note that in addition to the assessment fee, an electronic lodgement fee of $85.00 or a manual lodgement fee of $150.00 also applies.

An assessable item means an item identified on an Import Permit application as consisting of goods of a class imported, or to be imported, from a particular country for a particular use.

Further information on AQIS fees and charges can be found on the AQIS website. Import Permit issuing fees are specified in the Quarantine Service Fees Determination 2005.

Import Permit Fee  IPF0004

Import Permit Fees (where applicable) – Category 3

This commodity is classified as a Category 3 assessment for the purposes of determining the Import Permit fee rate that applies. The fee rate is $160.00 (for any assessment period up to 2 hours) and $40.00 for each quarter hour, or part of a quarter hour, after the 2-hour period. Note that in addition to the assessment fee an electronic lodgement fee of $85.00 or a manual lodgement fee of $150.00 also applies.

An assessable item means an item identified on an Import Permit application as consisting of goods of a class imported, or to be imported, from a particular country for a particular use.

Further information on AQIS fees and charges can be found on the AQIS website. Import Permit issuing fees are specified in the Quarantine Service Fees Determination 2005.


   New search

Commodity  
From country
For end use


Top of page

Horizontal line

For more information contact the ICON administrator
Document prepared by AQIS
URL: http://www.aqis.gov.au/icon32/asp/ex_casecontent.asp

Horizontal line
ICON32 v 1.3.4
Disclaimer Copyright © 2000 Commonwealth of Australia Privacy Statement
AQIS HOME

AQIS home AQIS home